Norma Barzman discusses her autobiography, “The Red and the Blacklist.” She begins by explaining that her book is about communists, like herself, who were hunted down in Hollywood in the 1950s. She talks about her early life in Russia and moving...

Connie and Pierre begin the interview briefly talking about his early life as a child concert pianist as well as his service with the U.S. Navy during World War II. For the majority of the interview, Pierre and Connie, in a wide ranging...

Nigey spends the first segment of the interview discussing Twain’s experiences in California and the American West. Nigey believes that Twain’s experiences as a “frontier” journalist nurtured his literary skills because frontier journalism was more...

Authors, American - 20th century - Biography; Irish Americans - Social life and customs; Journalists - United States - Biography; Alcoholics - United States - Biography; Drinking customs - United States

Pete Hamill discusses his book “A Drinking Life.” He talks about immigrants learning about baseball, the working class, and life after war. He says that men face their morality when they go into a war. Hamill shares that before becoming a...

Michael Datcher discusses his book, “Raising Fences.” He begins by talking about his early life and his choice to live with his adopted family over the real family who gave him up. Martinson asks him to read a passage about his adoption and how...

Lenore Hershey discusses her autobiography, “Between the Covers.” She begins by explaining that her book focuses around her time as the Editor for the Ladies’ Home Journal magazine. She talks about how she worked her way up to becoming Editor. ...

Steven Ivory discusses his autobiography, “Fool In Love.” He begins by telling how his book came into production after readers of his online column asked him to compile his essays. He talks about how his book is grouped into three parts: dealing...

J.R. Moehringer discusses his book, “The Tender Bar.” He begins by discussing how growing up he found a home away from home at a local bar. He shares that when he was growing up his father, a well-known disc jockey, abandoned his mother and him. He...

Shana Alexander discusses her autobiography, “Happy Days.” She begins by explaining that she is the daughter of famous composer Milton Ager, and her mother was a screenwriter for MGM Studios. She talks about her early life and how her parents...

Lynn Sherr discusses her autobiography, “Outside the Box.” She begins by talking about how this is not her first book, but it is the first book about her life. She describes her early life, and how her parents ran a summer camp that she enjoyed...

Benjamin C. Bradlee discusses his autobiography, “A Good Life.” He begins by explaining that he was the editor of the Washington Post during President Kennedy’s assassination, the Pentagon Papers, and the Watergate scandal. He talks about...

Jules Witcover discusses his book, “The Making of an Ink-Stained Wretch: Half a Century Pounding the Political Beat.” He begins by saying that he was a columnist for the “Baltimore Sun” and that he is syndicated by the “Chicago Tribune.” Witcover...

Van Dyk, Ted, 1934-; Democratic Party (U.S.) - Biography; Political consultants - United States - Biography; Political activists - United States - Biography; Political culture - United States - History - 20th century; Presidents - United States -...

Ted Van Dyk discusses his book, “Heroes, Hacks, and Fools.” He begins by sharing his memories of Jean Monnet, then head of the European Commission, who discouraged him from working in politics. He discusses his role working for Hubert Humphrey...

Stan Chambers discusses his autobiography, “KTLA’s News at Ten.” He begins by explaining that he was the KTLA news anchor for 60 years. He talks about his early life and how his mother worked as an actress in Hollywood to support her family. He...

William L. Shirer discusses his book, "The Nightmare Years, 1930-1940." Shirer says he saw Adolf Hitler in September of 1934 and describes his magnetism. He goes on to talk about the anti-Semitism on the Olympic planning team and the...

Marlene Marks discusses her autobiography, “A Woman’s Voice.” She begins by explaining that she writes a syndicated column for the Jewish Journal, and that the book is a compilation of her articles and personal stories. She talks about her career...